Month: May 2017
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Friday the 13th: The Game – Gamers vs. Servers

Friday the 13th: The Game brought with it an incredible amount of excitement and it was clear that the indie developers, Illfonic and Publisher Gun Media were not prepared for this level of interest. Right out of the gate people were lining up in matchmaking, waiting to get their chance to play but the servers were just not up for the challenge. Extremely long wait times which sometimes lasted in the area of 10 minutes, were agonizing. Some individuals were even experiencing an error when trying to log into the game, “Database login failure” and couldn’t play at all.

Illfonic quickly followed the release with a statement, “Few of us have slept since Thursday, but I wanted to take a moment to inform all of you as to what’s going on with everything,” writes IllFonic. “We’re having global issues, on all platforms (PC/XB1/PS4).” (http://bit.ly/2qz46Bf) They’re also releasing a patch, trying to assure the public there will be more to come.

Please, Not Again!

Game breaking issues like this leave a bad taste in a consumer’s mouth. A friend of Gigamax was among the unlucky few that had no access to the game after purchasing it on Friday. This lasted up until Monday when he finally had to opportunity to play. He was even considering reaching out for a refund but the thing was, the game was crafted so well he sincerely wanted to play.

This asymmetrical multiplayer horror game brings an experience that is rare to come by in the modern gaming world. Be sure to check back for a deeper look into Friday the 13th: The Game when the full review is released, but the fact that the developers were able to deliver such a fantastic experience that people put up with 10 minute wait times or an entire weekend to actually play shows at least how interesting the game actually is.

Hindsight Is 20-20

It’s hard to imagine having no contingency plans in place for higher than expected game sales and actives players. If there was ever a case where a fantastic game outshines a rocky launch, this may be it. Even with the overwhelming cries from the public, Illfonic was committed to solving the problem and fixing the servers. It shows a lot about a company willing to stand behind their product, but still seems strange that they didn’t take steps to avoid this severely damaging problem.

A large scale, open Beta or Pre-Order seems as though it could have been the right choice to gauge interest. Having nearly no information about the game or release date before it became available on all platforms, it was impossible to tell just how interested the community actually was in Friday the 13th: The Game. With all the backlash the ‘pre-order phenomena’ receives, it seems as though this or a Beta could have been used to avoid this unfortunate situation.

Chaos and Angry Gamers

With an absolutely chaotic launch, Friday the 13th: The Game will be a release to remember. The ones that had the chance to play opening week, for the most part thoroughly enjoyed the game and its originality. Those that were locked out were aching to play and cursing the developers that didn’t anticipate the high level of interest in the title.

Even with the rocky start, the developer delivered a fun, exciting and incredibly unique game to the market. They were quick to act with public statements about the server issues and took full responsibility. It’ll be exciting to see how what will happen with this game as time goes on, however if it doesn’t receive consistent upkeep and regular improvements, this troubled start will be used against them in the future.

Operation Supply Drop: Play Games & Support the Troops

Today in the United States, marks the day we put aside to remember our troops who have served throughout the nation’s history. Brave men and women that served in our armed forces deserve the utmost respect and whatever support we can offer. Many organizations have been set up that do a lot of work for not only veterans but for active duty service men and women as well. One of these amazing organizations is Operation Supply Drop, a group of veterans and civilians making life a little easier for our country’s troops by using the power of video games.

Source: http://bit.ly/2rMLNwt

Operation Supply Drop: Background and Overview

Operation Supply Drop was founded back in 2010 with the goal of sending “Video game care packages downrange.” By January of 2013 the program had sent 100 supply drops to deployed troops and the only question this organization asked was “what more can we do?” As service members began to return home, Operation Supply Drop started various new programs to help veterans deal with the transitional challenges that come with the return back to civilian life. One of these programs is the “Thank You Deployments” program which offers veterans ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences for continuing the spirit of their service. Another amazing program they run is called “Respawn” which is led by Chief Medical Officer Erik S. Johnson and is centered around helping recovering veterans with the “healing power of gaming.”

Source: http://bit.ly/2rMLNwt

So, How Can I Get Involved?

We know, at this point you’re wondering “how can I get involved.” Don’t worry, Operation Supply Drop offers plenty of opportunities for gamers to help out. One important program in particular is called “8-Bit Salute.” The idea of 8-Bit Salute is to unite the gaming community in support of our troops by doing what we all love, play video games. Individuals can set up pages for fans and fellow gamers to donate, which can be promoted through live streams, Youtube videos and any other way you can imagine. In fact, Gigamax has their own 8-Bit Salute page that you can donate at right here!

Time To Take Action!

This amazing organization has already done so much for our troops and they continue to make a difference everyday. Remember, if you’re interested in helping out you can go donate on the Gigamax team page or you can set up your own team page and encourage friends, family and fans to support the people who are already doing so much for us. If you’re interested in learning more about this wonderful non-profit organization, check out their website and find out about all the ways you can get involved.

Shadow Warrior 2 – Let’s Play Page with Gigamax Games

Shadow Warrior 2 is a non-stop, action packed first-person shooter that is sure to catch your attention. The ninja-like melee weapons and countless guns keep things interesting along the way. Not only is this title a fantastic predecessor to the original, the RPG elements take it to a completely different level. The Gigamax crew is here to show off their first impressions of the game and offer a few laughs along the way.

Starting the game from the very beginning, you can see exactly what Shadow Warrior 2 is all about. Gigs has a bit of experience from the first one, but nothing prepared the crew for what they were about to see. This second title has so much more in store than the original. Collect unique weapons and explore the open world, experiencing the countless adventures that await.

Got Wang?

One of the aspects that make this game so unique is its sense of humor. Wang jokes and horny rabbit monsters, this game will make you laugh. There’s some interesting information shared throughout this explosive series so be sure to check back soon for more.

Thank You For Watching!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to watch. We here at Gigamax sincerely appreciate your time and hope we can deliver the content you want to see. Have any suggestions? Let us know, you can always reach us at GigamaxGames@gmail.com or on Twitter and Facebook. Hope you all enjoy the Shadow Warrior 2 Let’s Play but remember, we have so much more!

Shadow Warrior 2 – The Entire Playthrough with Gigamax Games

Be sure to check back for more episodes soon! Thanks for watching! Hope to hear from you; Like, Comment and Subscribe!

Gamestop’s 2017 First Quarter Earnings Report

Gamestop officially released their earnings report for the first fiscal quarter of 2017 and things are looking surprisingly good for the gaming retailer. The company showed that sales were up year over year which they credit to the “robust” sales of the Nintendo Switch.

Their total global sales were up to $2.05 billion, which is up 3.8% from last year while their comparable store sales were up 2.3%. Gamestop’s international sales jumped an astounding 17.1%, but unfortunately their U.S. sales were down 2.3%. Thanks to the Switch releasing in March, their new hardware sales were up by 24.6% but new software was down 2.3%. Gamestop attributes the poor software sales to the overlap of major game release dates last year.

The company’s net earnings were down to $59 million from $65.8 million, but that doesn’t mean the company was hurting everywhere. In particular, the company started to dabble in collectable sales which were up 39.1% to $114.5 million. Popular Pokemon collectibles are flying off the shelves and their purchase of ‘ThinkGeek Inc’ greatly expanded their stock of merchandise. Gamestop also said that their technology brand sales were up 21.5% to $201.4 million.

Gamespot Weighs In

Popular gaming news site Gamespot held a conference call with the company yesterday which offered some interesting information. Gamestop sold more copies of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the wild then they did Nintendo Switch consoles, they are also reportedly selling out of Switch’s online before they even get to the warehouses. The retailer also stressed their continued support of VR as Playstation VR remains their Number 1 product, they also said that there will be more discussion surrounding VR at E3 this June. Gamestop had some more interesting talking points that you can find here over focused on Gamestop’s report.

We here at Gigamax are excited to see more about this information on VR they are supposedly announcing at E3. With VR hardware becoming more popular in the industry, any news about the medium is highly anticipated. As expected, digital downloads seem to be cutting into their profits but not nearly as much as we expected. As always, make sure to keep checking back with GigamaxGames.com for more information on everything gaming industry related!

The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind Overview

The Elder Scrolls Online will soon expand once more. Morrowind is coming out June 6th and fans of the MMORPG are itching to get their hands on the expansion. Opening up this classic Elder Scrolls location, long time fans of the series are excited to take a look at the new class and area(s). The Warden, with it’s beast campaign are only a small part of this expansive new addition. Morrowind is expected to bring an entirely new area just waiting to be explored. Let’s take a look at what we can expect to see from the new expansion.

Morrowind Trailer Offers Insights Into Warden Class

Morrowind’s cinematic trailer begins with an incredible chase scene where the new class, the Warden, makes their first appearance. Showing off the class’s abilities in a dramatic combat sequence, it gives an idea of how the character can be used. Entering the fight with their tell tale bear pet, the Warden eventually shows up swinging a two handed sword. Wearing what seems to be heavy armor but casting spells, this class is sure to bring with it a few surprises. Also, a new enemy rears its ugly head as the trailer fades out which just leads to the imagination going wild. Find the trailer below to get a look at this hype inducing 3 minutes.

Game Informer Live Stream

Today, 5/23/17 Game Informer held a live stream of Morrowind showing off the new Warden class. This lets fans see exactly how the Warden will handle on PC. Still the question is up in the air what the end-game will look like in this latest addition to Elder Scrolls Online. This glimps into Morrowing is surly just a peak throught he keyhole.

Pricing and Details

There will be something a little different with Morrowind besides the in-game content. Morrowind is an expansion rather than a regular DLC. This will means players can expect even more content than a normal DLC but this also comes at a price. Listed on the Playstation store, the Morrowind expansion will cost $39.99 but right now there’s a 10% discount for pre-orders.

All this information gives the world a pretty good idea of what the final edition of Morrowind might look like and play like on PC and console. Some PC gamers have already been playing Morrowind on early access, but it’s common for developers to add patches and updates to improve the content or gameplay once it is officially released.

More to Come

Be sure to check back on GigamaxGames.com for the latest coverage on the new expansion. Get ready for new video’s, articles and discussions surrounding this new leg in the Elder Scrolls Online saga. Being huge fans of the serious. this game will take the crew on an incredible journey and they want to take you along for the ride. If you’re still on the fence about spending almost $40 extra dollars on the new ESO expansion, stick around for our impressions.

Who Really Owns Dota: Federal Court to Decide

When Defense of the Ancients (Dota) was first released it was a mod for the popular RTS Warcraft III. Being a mod, it is hard to pinpoint exactly who was the most responsible for its inception as it was worked on by a ton of different people. The game also allowed for community feedback and at some point,became the center of a court case between Valve, who bought the rights from the original owner and Blizzard, the creators of Defense of the Ancients. The case was eventually settled and Valve was deemed the owner. Blizzard was given permission to associate the name with its games but now after almost a decade, the case of who owns Dota is back in federal court.

Ars Technica Speaks Out

In a report from Ars Technica, the case is centered around the recently released mobile games, Dota Legends and Heroes Charge. These games may be infringing on the original copyright. The first thing that needs to be decided is if the game is a collective work, which means a collection of work that’s assembled. Developer of Heroes Charge, Ucool, made the claim that it is a collective work. This argument was eventually thrown out by Judge Charles Breyer stating “By that logic, Star Wars: The Force Awakens would be a collective work because it arranged the most popular Star Wars heroes, settings, and one-liners into a new movie.”

The second argument revolves around Blizzard’s end user agreement which states that no one can use any of the games creation tools to make something for commercial gain. The third and final argument is about a forum post from Dota’s caretaker on September 23rd, 2004. The post stated “from this point forward, Dota is now open source. Whoever wishes to release a version of Dota may without my consent, I just ask for a nod in the credits to your map.” Judge Breyer believes that this could mean anyone could make a version of the game to sell, he says that the vagueness leaves it open to interpretation.

Letting The Courts Decided

The case will be moving onto jury soon as Breyer has denied Ucool summary judgement. This case will set a huge precedent for the gaming industry and if Valve wins, it will secure their ownership of the game. If Ucool wins, the market will be open up to a ton of Dota clones. No matter what the results are, Gigamax will have the report. Make sure to keep checking back with Gigamax Games for all the latest in gaming news and updates!

Gigs and Mack are huge fans of Injustice: Gods Among Us so Injustice 2 was a welcomed addition to the series. This game was a fantastic predecessor to the original title. Combat is superb and feels very much like Mortal Kombat. The developers, NetherRealm Studios are known for their ability to make a successful fighter and it seems as though they did it again.

Not only does Injustice 2 have incredible fighting mechanics, the story is exhilarating. The Super Hero tropes feel fresh in this world of mixed up timelines and sub-plots. Single player offers more than enough content to keep a mediocre fighter off the open matchmaking. As with any fighting game, playing online isn’t for everyone.

As expected, Injustice 2 allows players to unlock unique skins for their characters but this game goes above and beyond. Players can unlock individual pieces of gear which modify appearances but also add to the stats of a character. This mechanic creates a dynamic layer to the Multiverse gamemode. Stay tuned to get a better idea of what it’s all about in the playlist below!

Find the Injustice 2 Playlist – Gigamax Playthrough and Multiplayer

Gigs and Mack explore the world of Injustice 2 and see who will reign as the ultimate victor. Be sure to keep checking back here for the latest episodes. You can expect to see Gigs and Mack go head to head, trying out all the characters and locations. Find out what the Multiverse has to offer and see if the crew has what it takes to make it to the end. More episodes coming soon, hope you all enjoy!

Injustice 2 – Story Mode and Gameplay [Is This Krypton?]

The Invisible Hours to be at Festival de Cannes 2017

The Invisible Hours is a new complex murder mystery recently announced by the indie developer, Tequila Works. Designed specifically for VR, players will have to solve a crime in a world they are totally immersed in. A recent press release from Tequila Works officially announced that the game will be present at NEXT during Festival de Cannes 2017.

NEXT is focused on innovations in VR technology this year, specifically focused on how the medium impacts a narrative and storytelling. The Invisible Hours will be at the innovation hub from May 17th through May 21st at Palais 1, Aisle 14.

An Intricate Web of Interwoven Stories

The Invisible Hours leads players through a “intricate web of interwoven stories” inside a vast mansion that contains an unnerving truth. On their website, Tequila Works boasts that the game is “one of the deepest narrative experiences in VR to date.” The game contains seven characters that move and exist in the world even if they are not in the player’s line of sight. This means that there are seven intersecting stories that the detective must be concerned about at the same time. The player must consider these seven stories carefully and be at the right place at the right time in order to solve the mystery.

Thankfully for the player the protagonist is invisible (see what they did there) to the seven suspects. This gives investigators complete freedom to observe the character and explore the mansion at their own pace. Tequila Works says that “The game is a gripping mystery, and to find all of its deepest secrets will require careful observation and exploration.”

Big Names Featured

Another piece of exciting news is that the game features a star studded cast of characters from across film, theatre and television. Some of the people behind the game include director Rob Yescombe (Farpoint), and starring Mark Arnold (Desperate Housewives), Katherine Carlton (Downton Abbey), Uriel Emil (Homeland), Grahame Fox (Game of Thrones), Bentley Kalu (Marvel’s The Avengers), Patrick McNamee (Inspector George Gently), Henning Valin (The Killing) and Fiona Rene (Sinister Squad).

The game is going to come out this year and will be available for Oculus Rift, PSVR, and HTC Vive. If you’d like to see more information on the game you can check out Tequila Works website. We here at Gigamax Games are pumped about this upcoming release. Anything involving VR is unique and hopefully this game will be truly innovative. Don’t forget to keep checking back on GigamaxGames.com for more information on The Invisible Hours as it becomes available.

Injustice 2 | Gigamax Review

Injustice 2 is a unique fighting game with familiar controls that manages to mix three popular video game tropes successfully. NetherRealm studios, the developers behind the Mortal Kombat series, have taken the Injustice series to new heights in this latest entry and with 9 DLC fighters on the way, the package will only get better. A robust and fluid fighting game with an intriguing story and a sprinkle of RPG elements equals an amazing experience for fans of fighting games and the DC Universe.

Heroes and Villains Save The World

This time around the story steps back from the dark nature of the last one. Instead Injustice 2 follows the stereotypical heroes joining villains to stop a greater threat. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means the story doesn’t reach the emotional levels of the first game. It also gives the player plenty of opportunity to experiment different fighting styles with both the heroes and villains of DC’s Universe. The campaign is written like a DC love letter filled with awesome fight sequences, creative dialogue and more action than a Bruce Willis movie.

Injustice 2 makes the player feel just as powerful as the diverse range of super powered fighters. Whether choosing a god like Swamp Thing or a petty thief like Catwoman, the game makes sure every fighter feels unique and fun to use. Fights are fast and landing a successful combo is as satisfying as ever. The dynamic environments also feel better and faster when compared to the previous entry. NetherRealm also increased the walking speed of all the characters so there is not as much downtime during the fights. They have also increased the amount of opportunities a player has to break out of potentially round ending combos, making fights more fair and chaotic.

Loot Everywhere

One of the most interesting new additions to Injustice 2 is the loot system that is sure to drag in RPG fans. After each fight, players are given a couple of items that at first will be relatively useless. Investing some time in the game will net fighters some great gear that will even change the overall appearance of each warrior. Unique costumes for some characters also make an appearance that not only change appearance, but swap the voice acting as well. For example, Green Lantern has a unique costume that turns him into the Jon Stewart iteration which many 90’s kids will remember from the Justice League cartoon.

Unfortunately, players will not be able to play cooperatively but team guilds are available to join. Once a fighter is in a guild they’ll earn specific guild based experience that offers a chance at unique loot. Players can also score loot by spending real world money on source crystals. As of now the only thing tied to the currency are shaders but it will eventually be used for more premier skins.

Overall Impression

Injustice 2 is a fantastic fighter that manages to engage players in fast, fun, fluid combat all while paying homage to some of DC’s most iconic heroes and villains. Fighting friends feels great and getting loot for fighting your friends feels even better. As of now, the only issue with online is a little lag during fights but it certainly wasn’t game breaking. If you’re a fan of comic books or fighting games we definitely recommend picking up Injustice 2.

10 Highly Anticipated Video Games in June 2017

The top 10 Video Games to watch out for in June 2017! The latest titles for Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Be sure to check back on Gigamax Games for more!

Tekken 7 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – June 2

Tekken 7 is exclusive to Japanese arcades but the rest of the gaming world will soon be playing this highly anticipated fighter in the comfort of their own home. With a wide range of unique characters and fighting styles, Tekken has always delivered tense, exciting and competitive gameplay.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – June 6

Elder Scrolls Online continues their expansion of its incredible world with the release of the Morrowind DLC. In standard Elder Scrolls Online fashion, the DLC will be free for ESO Plus members. Each one of The Elder Scrolls Online DLC’s has been packed with content and unique environments and Morrowind looks as though it will deliver another unforgettable experience.

DiRT 4 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – June 6th

A mix between a simulator and fully fleshed out game, DiRT 4 promises an adrenalin rush second only to getting behind one of these off-road machines in real life. DiRT 4’s developer, Codemasters are excited to debut a ‘game-changing’ system they call Your Stage. This is a rally route creation tool, letting the player produce nearly limitless and unique rally stages you can race and share with friends.

Wipeout Omega Collection (PS4) – June 7

This futuristic racing game series is a staple in Playstation history. The original trilogy helped set the very first Playstation apart from the other consoles on the market. Fans of the series might want to take a look at pre-order bonus which includes the original Playstation One box art.

Arms (Switch) – June 16

Nintendo is nearly ready to release one of their new IP’s, specifically crafted for the Nintendo Switch. Arms looks like the perfect game to play with friends as you battle with their motion-controlled fighting system.

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood (PS4, PC, Mac) – June 20

Get ready to liberate Ala Mhigo, a land conquered by the Garlean Empire in this new adventure. The Warrior of Light and his comrades takes them beyond the borders of Aldenard but make sure to prepare because untolled challenges lie in the Far East.

The Golf Club 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – June 27

More and more, people love to play online casino and then finish their time up with a round of golf. Dubbed as the ‘most dynamic golf game ever created’, the career mode is filled with subtleties like precise swing mechanics and beautiful sprawling courses. Players can create online Societies and challenge other communities to earn money and build up that all important street credit.

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (PS4) – June 27

This pre-sequel to the mystery adventure game Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, is unlike the first two games. Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls lets the player take on the role of two heroines as they try to survive a city thrown into violent anarchy.

Valkyria Revolution (PS4, Xbox One, Vita) – June 27

This title is finally making its way over the the Americas and will stand out from previous Valkyria games. Valkyria Revolution will not be a sequel to Valkyria Chronicles series and should be considered a spinoff. Taking place in a entirely different timeline, it’ll be a great new adventure for those familiar with the franchise and easy to jump into for newcomers.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4) – June 30

Any fan of the original Crash Bandicoot series will be ecstatic to find out the game is getting a full HD remaster this June. Play through the original three games, Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped in a nostalgic revisit to this Playstation classic.